Budget Cooking: Feed 4 for $10

If you're cooking on a budget, be sure to not skimp on nutrition. You'll feel good about feeding your family these creatively delectable recipes that won't break the bank. By creating a repertoire of recipes featuring cost-effective ingredients, you'll soon be able to whip out low-cost dinners without even thinking. Don't worry about repetition either, everything from salads to curries to pastas are shown here, all at $2.50 or less per serving. Fresh food doesn't have to be pricey, and these recipes are proof.

If you're cooking on a budget, be sure to not skimp on nutrition. You'll feel good about feeding your family these creatively delectable recipes that won't break the bank. By creating a repertoire of recipes featuring cost-effective ingredients, you'll soon be able to whip out low-cost dinners without even thinking. Don't worry about repetition either, everything from salads to curries to pastas are shown here, all at $2.50 or less per serving. Fresh food doesn't have to be pricey, and these recipes are proof.

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October 02, 2009

1 of 103Becky Luigart-Stayner

Roast Chicken with Potatoes and Butternut Squash

A company-worthy meal, this recipe will not disappoint. Add a heart-healthy salad to accompany this delicious fall dish. Using a whole chicken is an incredibly frugal option that gives you a lot more chicken for less per pound compared to packaged chicken breasts. You can also use the typically discarded parts to make your own chicken stock. After all, the more parts you can reuse, the less expensive a meal becomes per day.

Shrimp Fra Diavolo

Shrimp Fra Diavolo recipes are can often be very spicy, but you can add or take away the heat by adding more or less red pepper depending on your personal preference. Be sure to use inexpensive medium-size shrimp in this garlicky, spicy classic.

Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

A new take on a familiar favorite pairs grilled cheese with a BLT for a luscious veggie-packed sandwich that feels like an indulgence. We use center-cut bacon to cut down on fat, and spinach gives this meal a boost of fiber, folate, and vitamins, C, E, and K. Serve with zesty dill pickle spears. If you have extra room in your budget, pair with a sweet-tart hard cider for adults or apple juice for kids.

Stewed Pork and Squash

A few simple ingredients simmered together become a truly tasty meal that's sure to become your new favorite comfort food dish. With just 20 minutes of prep, you can get dinner started and let it simmer while helping kids with homework. Serve with simple pantry-friendly corn muffins to complete the meal. Be sure to leave leftovers. Our readers agree it's even better the next day.

Sausage Ragu over Creamy Polenta

Turkey sausage and bottled marinara combine for a healthy, quick, and affordable twist on this Italian classic. Our readers gave it five stars and rave that this dish is creamy and delicious. Opting for turkey sausage over pork sausage cuts the fat and calories nearly in half. Serve with a romaine salad tossed with red wine vinegar and olive oil.

Chicken and Rice with Mushrooms

A small amount of dried porcini mushrooms goes a long way. Using the reconstituted mushrooms and their soaking liquid gives this one-dish meal a rich, earthy flavor. More affordable than chicken breasts, chicken thighs are also more moist and flavorful. However, it does take some time to prep and cook, so save this recipe for a night when you have some extra time.

Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce

Simply seasoned pork tenderloin becomes enticingly tender when roasted in the oven. Serve this pork recipe with stone-ground yellow grits to soak up the tangy, creamy sauce that's made with creme fraiche and Dijon mustard. Feel free to sub with Greek yogurt if you prefer. This dinner is so elegant you may consider saving it for the holidays.

Mini Bacon and Egg Tarts

Breakfast for dinner is always a hit. These tiny tarts boast 18.3g of protein thanks to its egg, bacon, and cheese combination making it a filling dinner or a savory brunch option. Best yet, this speedy dish lets you put dinner on the table in less than 45 minutes. Green onions add color and flavor, but they're optional. Omit them, if you prefer. With just six basic ingredients, it's an easy and affordable option for busy weeknights.

Lamb and Sausage Cassoulet

You won't be making this slow-cooked casserole when you're short on time, but the effort you put into this meal is worth it. Our version of the classic French stew is made with boneless leg of lamb and turkey kielbasa. Let it cook slowly to allow the flavors to harmonize.

Healthy Wheat-Cracker "Nachos"

This Tex-Mex nacho appetizer uses wheat cracker nachos as a healthy alternative to fried chips. The zesty combination of black beans, avocado, fresh corn kernels, cheddar cheese, and tomato will help tide folks over until the main course is ready. Packed with 18g of protein, our Wheat-Cracker "Nachos" also make a great after-school snack and are ready in just 20 minutes.

Black-Eyed Peas and Greens

While our Blacked-Eyed Peas and Greens is a New Year's day favorite, this dish is great any time of year. With15.7g of protein and 11.3g of fiber, it's a nutritious low-fat side. Serve over hot cooked long-grain white or brown rice. Frozen black-eyed peas are economical and available year-round, but in the summer months, you can use fresh shelled peas, if you prefer.

Shrimp, Avocado, and Grapefruit Salad

This fresh citrus salad is both a light and filling main dish entrée, perfect for a weeknight yet elegant enough to serve to guests. Ripe avocado add heart-healthy fat to this meal, while a homemade dressing cuts down on added sugar. Our healthy Shrimp, Avocado, and Grapefruit Salad will become a regular in your dinner salad rotation. In the summertime, throw the shrimp on the grill and enjoy dinner al fresco.

Turkey Sausage, Mushroom, and Potato Gratin

Home fries meet casserole in this ultimate comfort food dish that's great for brunch or dinner. Turkey sausage, onions, red potatoes, and cremini mushrooms sautéed together and then baked in the oven create a super flavorful dish that will have your crew begging for seconds. It's most economical to buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself.

Ham and Pineapple Pizza Subs

You'll be amazed at how easy it is to throw together this simple supper. Kids will love the pizza-turned-sandwich, and you can even enlist them to help. Spread 2 tablespoons sauce over each bread portion; divide Canadian bacon evenly among servings. Sprinkle bacon with cheese; top with pineapple. Broil 3 minutes or until golden. Garnish with green onions, if desired. Toss spinach and clementine segments with olive oil and juice from the fruit for a side.

Baked Italian-Style Cauliflower

If you think eggplant is the only veggie that shines in Italian dishes, you may change your mind after you try this dish. Cauliflower gets tender in marinara sauce and blends into this Italian dish like a charm. An interesting array of ingredients come together in a magnificent way under a baked topping of crispy bread and pecorino Romano cheese.

Savory Baked Apples

These apples are stuffed with fall flavor that we know you will love. Savory, and a little sweet, this combination is bound to be a family favorite. Though pricier, Honeycrisp apples also hold their shape well when baked.

Garlicky Spinach-Sausage Gratin

This hearty side dish pairs perfectly with a light main, such as a soup or slice of quiche. When entertaining, consider baking the gratin in individual dishes for an elegant presentation. Be sure to drain the sausage well after sautéeing, so the dish doesn't end up too watery. The end result should be rich and creamy.

Blue Cheese-Stuffed Pork Chops with Pears

This quick-cooking dish offers a nice balance of savory and sweet tastes. With just three ingredients, it's a fast weeknight meal that requires little effort but looks and tastes like it's worthy of a special occasion. Serve with a side of simple roasted Brussels sprouts for a special meal that's full of fall flavors. And with less than 300 calories and 13g of fat per serving, it's a low calorie meal you'll want to make again and again.

Indian-Spiced Lentils and Lamb

Hearty, healthy lentils get saucy Indian treatment thanks to curry powder, coconut milk, and chopped jalapeño pepper. A touch of curry powder and jalapeño give the stew a warming flavor that’s not overwhelmingly hot from spice. A dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkling of fresh cilantro leaves tames the heat.

Potato-Crusted Chicken Fingers

Crunchy potato chips create a crisp crust when pan-fried in a small amount of canola oil and coated with a mixture of baked potato chips and flour. Don't skip a step in the breading process. The sticky egg and flour mixture makes a paste that helps the potato chips adhere to the chicken. Serve with broccoli and buttered penne for an easy weeknight meal. Low on ketchup?

Buffalo Chicken Thighs

This is a classic, can't-go-wrong chicken thighs recipe that everyone will love. Salt, garlic powder, and red pepper impart an addictive flavor to chicken thighs. The skin gets delightfully moist when browned in a skillet, but the inside remains succulently moist after baking in the oven. Play up the buffalo theme with a side of celery sticks and light ranch dressing. Bone-in chicken thighs are a less expensive choice compared to chicken breasts, and keep this dish both tasty and affordable.

Cheese Ravioli with Pesto

Our Cheese Ravioli with Pesto is a superfast vegetarian entrée that will please even the pickiest eaters. Fresh herbs are premium ingredients that can easily break a budget. Stretch the pesto by adding a little fresh baby spinach. Interested in gardening? See our 4 Reasons You Should Grow Your Own Food as well as our Guide to Basil.

French Toast Peanut Butter and Jelly

In a rush to get dinner on the table? Make a quick dinner your family will happily scarf down so you can get to soccer practice on time. What kid (or grown-up, for that matter) wouldn't love this ooey-gooey sandwich? Serve the souped-up peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with fresh fruit for a meal the whole family will love. If you like this recipe, you'll want to try our how easy it is to make this morning meal.

Stir-Fried Chinese Egg Noodles

Though the chewy texture of Chinese egg noodles is fantastic, you can substitute rice sticks or linguine. Omit or decrease the amount of chile paste if serving to kids. If you love these noodles as much as we do, you'll love these other Asian noodle recipes.

Summer Veggie Pizza

This pizza isn't just delicious—it's budget-friendly too! At just $2.49 per serving, your wallet (and your family) will thank you. Topped with red bell pepper, asparagus, and corn, this veggie pizza packs a nutritious punch, and it's ready in just 45 minutes. If you have dough left over, freeze it; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.

Linguine with Quick Lemon Ricotta

Ditch that store-bought cheese! Our fresh ricotta is so easy to prepare, you'll want to use it all the time. It's cooked in the microwave and takes less than 15 minutes (and only 5 ingredients!). Our reviewers love how easy and economical it is for a weeknight supper.

Kid-tastic Pizzadillas

Kids can't resist our quesadilla pizza combination. This 25-minute recipe couldn't be easier, so keep it in your back pocket for nights when you're tempted to head to the drive-through. Our weeknight dinner solution is healthier and more economical than pizza delivery or takeout. Complete the meal with steamed broccoli or carrot sticks with light ranch dressing.

Maple-Brined Pork

This budget-friendly meal (only $2.50 per serving) has delicious flavor thanks to an 8-hour brine made with chicken broth, peppercorns, allspice, garlic cloves, bay leaf, and maple syrup. Topped with grilled fruit, this is sure to be a new favorite. Be sure to start with a clean grill, so it doesn't ruin the flavor of the fruit.

Tomato Soup with Roasted Chickpeas

For just $2.15 per serving you can put our highly-addictive tomato soup on the table for dinner tonight. Country ham and chickpeas give this hearty five-star meal 24.3g of protein, so you can dig into this one-dish meal and know you'll stay full. Roasting the garlic, ham, and chickpeas gives them a delicious crunch.

Pork Chops with Cherry Couscous

In-season, sweet red cherries are a bountiful bargain, and they lend a wonderfully fresh, fruity element that pairs well with simple seasoned pork. Bone-in center-cut pork chops remain moist when grilled and are a healthy, more economical option than boneless chops. The addition of a few ingredients—olive oil, cherries, green onions, almonds, and lemon juice—stirred into plain couscous lends fresh flavor to this simple side.

Bacon Pierogi Bake

Pierogies are yummy potato-filled dumplings you can purchase from the freezer section of most major supermarkets. Using this convenience item to jump-start dinner is not just economical, but it'll save you lots of time in the kitchen, as well. Bake in gratin dishes for fun individual "casseroles," and serve with a green salad.

Sausage and Caramelized Onion Bread Pudding

Price: $1.60 per serving

If your supermarket offers turkey Italian sausage in the butcher case, purchase one or two links to equal 4 ounces. If starting with a package of several sausages, freeze leftover links up to two months for later use.

Sesame-Soy Meatballs

Serve these garlicky, spicy meatballs with steamed sugar snap peas and two cups cooked rice tossed with 1 tablespoon chile paste—you'll find it on the ethnic aisle of most supermarkets or at Asian grocers.

Pork-Potato Hash with Eggs

Price: $1.81 per serving

Pork sold as "country-style ribs" is not always from the rib section; it can be cut from a pork shoulder roast, too. Either way, it's economical and generally cut into individual "ribs," making it easy for you to ask your butcher for just the number you need.

Braised Short Ribs with Egg Noodles

Price: $2.47 per serving

The key to getting incredibly rich flavor in a sauce made from water is to create tasty browned bits on the bottom of the pan. To ensure you create those bits, use a stainless steel skillet―not a nonstick pan.

Roast Leg of Lamb with Chile-Garlic Sauce

Price: $2.49 per serving

The base of the sauce, a simplified version of harissa, is sambal oelek―a fiery Asian condiment you’ll find on the ethnic aisle at major supermarkets or at Asian markets. The green bean and potato side dishes complete the meal and fall within budget.

Gingery Pork Meatballs with Noodles

Wide rice noodles are available on the ethnic-foods aisle at most major supermarkets and at Asian grocers. If you can't find them, any rice noodle or even spaghetti will work in this dish. You can also use ground sirloin, if you can't find pork.

Minty Tomato Soup

Look for large tomatoes, as they're easier to work with. If you make the soup ahead, the flavors will meld with time, but give the soup a quick stir before serving. Cheesy toasts add a bit of extra protein to this end-of-summer soup.

Roasted Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Potatoes

This classic meal is economical and easy to prepare. Although we call for thyme, you can use any fresh herbs you have on hand—tarragon, chives, rosemary, or a mix of any of them will work in the potatoes.

Mushroom and Sausage Ragu with Polenta

This hearty entrée features a mushroom and sausage ragù (Italian meat-and-tomato pasta sauce) served over creamy polenta. Cook the polenta while the ragù simmers so everything will be ready and hot at the same time.

Linguine with Spicy Shrimp

The combo of Cajun seasoning and ground red pepper really packs a punch of heat in this dish, but the creamy sauce takes the edge off. Decrease the ground red pepper or simply omit it for a milder version of the dish. Serve with sliced French bread.

Root Beer-Can Chicken

This is a family-friendly take on beer-can chicken in which we use an opened root beer can to support a whole bird on the grill. The liquid inside the can adds moisture, resulting in succulent, tender meat. Complete the meal with roasted red potatoes and a sweettart broccoli slaw.